Okay, so I went through my old photos for Coron and tried to retrace that wonderful first trip in 2008 hehe. Here's what I found =) This is a glimpse of what I call the actual last frontier in Palawan (at least for me haha). We went to this island by ourselves via kayak from the resort, which had a sandbar, and is already bordering the South China Sea so it was really memorable. We stayed at the Coral Bay Beach & Dive Resort. We got a full-board package (meaning the package included transfers, accommodations, 3x a day super yummy eat-all-you-can meals, free use of facilities, free kayak, free mini banca) almost like that in El Nido Resorts =) I'm squeezing it all (around 4 days) in one post and it's going a bit photo heavy haha. You can just click on the image for a bigger file. I'll try my best to make it appear in sequence so that you can follow our IT.
Staring out the plane window, Palawan took my breath away...
More than an hour boat ride to Coral Bay. Who wouldn't fall in love with that clear water and Coral Bay dock?
We had to walk a little to the cottage every day. No airconditioning at that time and no electricity for half the day, but it was all okay.. We were stuffed with very good buffet food (seafood galore) and that more than made up for it haha. Update from Coral Bay 7/2013: I was told they don't have the full board buffet now - only a la carte available today =) Check out the room rates here.
Images from the Coral Bay site
walking in the night to our native-style cottages,
as well as the duyans and chairs that we made into sampayans outside the room =)
Somehow, we managed to do a hike / jungle trek in the afternoon. Same island.
I remember it was not as easy and my slippers were not cooperating.
But what a view.
You see the resort is surrounded by a mangrove sanctuary. You can do like one big circle if my memory serves me right.
There's the resort to the left!
I think we did some kayaking too on the same day.
You see the resort is surrounded by a mangrove sanctuary. You can do like one big circle if my memory serves me right.
Day 2 - Coron Island Hopping was arranged there. We got a boat for a full day of activities.
It was here that I fell in love with Palawan's limestone formations.
I remember lagoons so this may be Twin Lagoons.
We also went to the beach and the resort made us packed lunch (since we got the full-board package). I'm not sure where exactly but you can check out Banol Beach..
Sorry, these are just estimates. It all happened years ago before I became a travel blogger haha. I'm not sure actually if this is a 2-day tour because the time stamp on the pictures are also wrong. I'm basing several pictures below on big rocks! haha. I'm guessing these can also be done in one day. We chose this over going to Calauit or Culion by boat, which will already take maybe half a day.
I remember it was quite far - the boat ride from our resort in Popototan Island.
I remember lagoons so this may be Twin Lagoons.
I also remember hiking the sharp limestone rocks to get to the Barracuda Lake and a part where we had to pass through a hole underwater to get to a location.
I'm also saying it might have been Banol Beach due to it's proximity to the places we went to that day..
There are boat moments, more sleeping and more beautiful places.
There's the Kayangan Lake climb,
this Coron view where I took another shot of during my recent trip hehe,
those needlefish,
my hair haha
and the wooden plank where we took this!
We also passed by a shipwreck. It's right there!!!
Day 3 - We found ourselves alone again in the resort. Our group decided to hoard the kayaks and small boat there (which we can use for free) haha.
Check out the map below from Coral Bay. We went from 1 to 12 to 9. Note: If you don't have a bigger or motorized boat, do not attempt.
#12 Galoc Island - It was very hot that time. Not enough shade and full of ants / crawlers =) Person from the resort said it will take "just 15 minutes" to get here. I remember it took us around an hour from the current haha.
We saw #9 the Twin Islands from a distance and decided to brave it. Took us twice the time (hours) hahaha. Very strong current and it was very easy for our little boat / kayaks to turn upside down.
It was sandbar to our left, waves and rocks to the right - very dramatic and beautiful..
Calm on one side then wild on the other. Turns out the wild side was the South China Sea already! What daredevils we were.. Good thing J was there to paddle for me hahaha.
The water was also clear and shallow on the other calm side.
THE.
END.
So, what's there not to fall in love with Palawan and Coron now? If you stay in this part of Palawan, there's really such a thing as not enough days hehe. As a Dive Resort, Coral Bay also offers PADI Certification. Cheers! =)
Hotel Details:
Popototan Island, Palawan
Please feel free to tell me below: Have you been to Coron? Did you stay in Coron Town or on an island resort like Coral Bay? If you haven't been to Coron, would you stay in a hotel in town or on an island resort and why? What other islands or places in Coron or Palawan did you find interesting or can you recommend?
Check out my other Coron Posts:
Day 2 Part 2 - DIY Palawan Trip - Kayangan Lake, Coron Island Ultimate Tour, Maquinit Hot Springs, Lolo Nonoy's Food Station
Day 3 Part 1 - Palawan in June During the Rainy Season, My Buhawi over Water Experience - Coron Galeri Sun, Sea & Sand Ecotours with Bulog Island and Lunch at Banana Island
Day 3 Part 2 - Last Full Day in Coron Palawan - Malcapuya Island Tour, Macario's Grill & Bistro Coron
The Last Frontier Palawan - Coral Bay Beach & Dive Resort, Popototan Island, Jungle Trekking, Kayaking around Mangroves, Coron Island Hopping, Shipwrecks, Twin Islands
Day 3 Part 1 - Palawan in June During the Rainy Season, My Buhawi over Water Experience - Coron Galeri Sun, Sea & Sand Ecotours with Bulog Island and Lunch at Banana Island
Day 3 Part 2 - Last Full Day in Coron Palawan - Malcapuya Island Tour, Macario's Grill & Bistro Coron
The Last Frontier Palawan - Coral Bay Beach & Dive Resort, Popototan Island, Jungle Trekking, Kayaking around Mangroves, Coron Island Hopping, Shipwrecks, Twin Islands